DIY Twine: Craft Boho Cords with Recycled Fabric
Twine instantly adds a bohemian flair to any home decor or DIY project.
And, here at Monkey Bug Bean, we love a good boho craft!
Particularly, if it lets us use up some of our rather large piles of scrap fabric we have laying around.
And especially if the girls and I can chat mindlessly while we let our hands do the work! (Some of the very best/ most cherished conversations happen like this at our house!)
Making twine is that kind of craft!
We learned how to make twine a few years back, on a Girl Scout field trip! It’s more durable than string but not as thick or strong as rope. Twine usually consist of two strands of fabric or other material, being twisted together.
I like to use whatever fabric I have laying around in my craft closet from previous projects. You can purchase new fabric for this project but I think what gives this craft its bohemian feel is using whatever you already have around the house. Think:
thrift store finds/old clothes
curtains
tablecloths
baby blankets
remnants left over from sewing/ other crafts
I especially like the look of twine made with old lace and silk sari remnants!
Skill Level:
Beginner
Supplies:
2 different kinds of fabric
large spool or piece of cardboard (to store finished twine)
Steps:
Prepare the Fabric
- rip or cut fabric into thin strips. About 1/2” for thinner materials and 1/4”-1/8” for thicker material like denim
- pull off loose threads from each strip of material to make handling easier
- separate the 2 materials into piles
- take one strip of each material and tie them together at the end with knot
Twist the Twine (see picture above)
- holding the strips of material apart, take the strip to the right (white strip on top of pic) and twist it in a clockwise direction around 5-8 times (left to right: pink arrow)
- then cross the twisted (white) fabric over the untwisted fabric strip (blue strip towards bottom of pic) bringing it from the right to the left, counter clockwise (orange arrow)
- the untwisted (blue) fabric should be on the right
- continue to repeat the process, twisting the fabric on the right in a clockwise direction and then twisting it over the other fabric strip a few times, in a counter clockwise direction
- to finish twine tie ends of fabric strips together in a double knot
Tip: to add another length of fabric to the end of a strip, wrap the old fabric over the new strip and twist the two together in clockwise direction and continue as usual (see pictures below)
Storage and Uses for Twine
-wrap the twine around a large spool (available at craft stores or Amazon) or piece of cardboard to store
-to use, cut desired length and knot ends
-twine can be used to add a special touch to any package or gift
-add to any DIY project for a boho feel, we especially like to use twine for wall hangings, to decorate baskets, candles and potted plants
Making twine is a fun and super easy craft to make with your kids that adds a pop of color and a bohemian look to any gift or DIY project!
Want more boho craft ideas? We got ya girl…